Tour of California: Riders to Watch

Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Barracuda)

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Like Van Garderen, Garmin-Barracuda’s Andrew Talansky is one of several young Americans hoping to wrestle California's biggest bicycle race away from veterans such as Horner and Leipheimer. A dark horse in last year’s race, Talansky faded as the race progressed. He returns this year older, wiser, and, more important, stronger. He came in second to Tour de France–contender Bradley Wiggins in the Tour of Romandie two weeks ago, and seems poised to contend in the Golden State.